Cavaliers Cricket Club, Colchester, Essex, England

4 July 2010

Premier All Rounder Unable to Save Seconds

In pleasant conditions the 2nd's were unable to stem the recent tide of defeats as they again ended up on the losing side in another closely fought fixture this time away to EAG.

Having lost the toss and taken to the field with the now customary 10 men a few in the field could be seen to shudder courtesy of their North Springfield flashbacks. In reality some tidy bowling from Deji & Steve R (5-1-13-1) saw the visitors able to contain the EAG openers whilst they awaited their 11th man with the latter removing the home sides keeper batsman early on in proceedings. Thereafter it was very much a case of the home side consolidating their innings with a century stand for the 2nd wicket. The excellence of the Cavaliers bowling ensured this was very much a case of accumulation with both Dave H (10-3-16-0) and Harish (10-2-41-1) standing out from the visitors perspective.

Hammond C (34) and the ever dangerous Marston (63) were eventually removed from proceedings by Harish and evergreen Tony M respectively and from that point forth the home side began to go on the offensive with Deji (10-1-52-2) & Tony unfortunate to get some "tap" at the back end of the innings. Tony M tempered this with his usual bucketful of wickets (10-1-56-4) as he duped one hapless soul after another into believing that they had read the flight and/or picked his doosra, they were of course wrong.
A quickfire 28 from Taylor ensured EAG finished the innings with a competitive total of 185-8 off their allotted 45 overs.

Though the pitch was a tad slow the outfield was not. Requiring around 4 an over and with "Dangerman" / "Eye on England" / "One to Watch" Jack K headlining the batting line up with centurion Vinter at 3 expectation was high with a very real hope of victory (at last).

A steady opening partnership ensued between Sean & Jack before Sean was undone by the youngster Enwright (who again impressed). Vinnie & Jack looked keen to get things resolved sooner rather than later as they put together a quick fire 30 run partnership before the skipper, keen to give some respectability to his average, found himself back in the hutch stumped for 8. Luke soon followed and Pete who having played a glorious straight drive subsequently missed a straight one leaving the visitors reply stumbling somewhat at 81-4.

Oblivious to the indifferent performances at the other end Jack continued to show everyone how it was done as he brought about a rapid half century with consummate ease. Jack was finally joined by someone capable of supporting him in the form of Harish who rotated the strike freely without appearing to be in danger of losing his own wicket.

Looking odds on for a ton Jack (84) finally succumbed as he attempted a square drive on the up and was duly snaffled at point. His departure (130-5) sent Harish into overdrive as he looked to finish things off single handed unfortunately having already hit two boundaries in the 33rd over his attempt to make it three saw him dismissed for a very well played 28.

Requiring around 50 for victory with 5 wickets in hand the visitors remained odds on favourites, however, this did not take into account the now obligatory "Cavaliers Collapse" and despite some lusty blows from Deji (12) the tail was unable to "wag", EAG taking the final 5 wickets in relatively quick succession with visitors all out for 172 (losing by 13 runs).

Another close defeat but some encouraging signs for the 2nd's for the weeks to come. Wins now very much a must if they are to avoid the drop back to Div 5 for 2011.